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Updated: May 1, 2026
07:16
Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples
Published on: March 14, 2014
13.9K
When is prostate cancer really cancer?
David M Berman1, Jonathan I Epstein2
1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, 18 Stuart Street, Botterell 329, Kingston, Ontario K7L3N6, Canada.
The Urologic Clinics of North America
|April 15, 2014
Summary
Low-grade prostate cancers are indeed cancer, despite some claims. Reinterpreting Gleason grading can help prevent overtreatment of indolent tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Urology
Background:
- Debate exists regarding the classification of low-grade prostate tumors.
- Some question whether these should be termed 'cancer'.
- Current diagnostic and prognostic systems are under review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the defining features of cancer.
- To analyze current prostate cancer classification systems.
- To evaluate the classification of low-grade prostate cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of logical, morphologic, and molecular evidence.
- Analysis of diagnostic and prognostic classification systems.
- Assessment of prostate cancer grading categories.
Main Results:
- Low-grade prostate cancers meet the criteria for cancer classification.
- The term 'cancer' is appropriate for these tumors.
- A 6/10 aggressiveness score is deemed unsuitable for indolent cancer.
Conclusions:
- Low-grade prostate cancers are correctly classified as cancer.
- A revised interpretation of Gleason grading is proposed.
- The proposed reinterpretation aims to mitigate overtreatment of indolent prostate cancer.
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